London, January 24, 2026 – In a pointed and personal response issued on Friday, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex and a veteran of two tours in Afghanistan with the British Army, has strongly defended the contributions and sacrifices of NATO troops during the two-decade conflict in Afghanistan. His statement comes amid widespread international backlash against recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested that non-American NATO allies "stayed a little off the front lines" during operations there.
The controversy erupted on Thursday when President Trump, speaking in an interview on Fox News amid discussions on NATO's value and burden-sharing, downplayed the frontline role of allied forces. "We've never needed them," Trump said of NATO partners. "They'll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan or this or that, and they did. They stayed a little back, a little off the front lines." The remarks, part of Trump's long-standing critique of the alliance—where he has repeatedly pressed members to meet defense spending targets—drew immediate condemnation from European leaders, veterans, and bereaved families.
Prince Harry, who served as a forward air controller in 2007-2008 (a deployment cut short after media exposure) and later as an Apache helicopter pilot/gunner for four months in 2012, released a statement through his spokesperson emphasizing the historical and human significance of NATO's involvement. "In 2001, NATO invoked Article 5 for the first—and only—time in history," Harry stated. "It meant that every allied nation was obliged to stand with the United States in Afghanistan, in pursuit of our shared security. Allies answered that call."
He continued: "I served there. I made lifelong friends there. And I lost friends there. The United Kingdom alone had 457 service personnel killed. Thousands of lives were changed forever. Mothers and fathers buried sons and daughters. Children were left without a parent. Families are left carrying the cost. Those sacrifices deserve to be spoken about truthfully and with respect, as we all remain united and loyal to the defence of diplomacy and peace."
The figure of 457 British fatalities is accurate and widely cited by official sources, including the UK Ministry of Defence. Britain suffered the second-highest number of military deaths in the conflict after the United States, which recorded approximately 2,461 fatalities. Coalition-wide, more than 3,500 NATO and partner troops lost their lives, with thousands more wounded. Many of the British losses occurred in intense fighting in Helmand Province, where UK forces operated in some of the most dangerous areas alongside American units.
Harry's intervention adds a deeply personal dimension to the debate. As a former captain in the British Army, he has spoken openly about his military service in his 2023 autobiography, Spare, where he described frontline experiences, including his role in combat operations and the psychological toll of warfare. In the book, he recounted details of his deployments, noting the bonds formed and the losses endured. His statement on Friday echoed themes of honor, truth, and remembrance that have defined his public commentary on veterans' issues since leaving royal duties.
The backlash against Trump's comments has been swift and bipartisan in the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the remarks as "insulting and frankly appalling," calling for an apology and highlighting the sustained combat operations undertaken by British forces. "We will never forget the sacrifices of those who served in Afghanistan," Starmer posted on social media, paying tribute to the 457 fallen. Defence Secretary John Healey reinforced this, stating that NATO allies "answered the US call" and that more than 450 British personnel lost their lives in the effort.
Veterans and families have been particularly vocal. Bereaved relatives, such as the mother of a fallen paratrooper, expressed being "stunned" and "soul-destroying" by the suggestion that troops avoided danger. One grieving father noted that British soldiers were in "hot spots" and on the front lines, with casualties far exceeding those figures in many cases when including severe injuries. European veterans, including from Denmark—which suffered the highest per-capita losses among coalition partners—echoed the sentiment, with one retired Polish general asserting that allies "paid with blood for this alliance."
Trump's comments fit into his broader narrative on NATO, where he has long argued that the U.S. bears an disproportionate burden, accounting for around 62% of total alliance spending in recent estimates. He has credited his administration's pressure for increases in European defense budgets. However, critics point out that NATO's Article 5 invocation post-9/11 represented unprecedented solidarity, with allies contributing troops, resources, and lives to the U.S.-led mission aimed at dismantling Al Qaeda and removing the Taliban from power.
The Afghanistan war, launched in October 2001 following the September 11 attacks, evolved into a prolonged counter-insurgency effort involving over 50 nations at its peak. British forces, often in partnership with U.S. Marines and Army units, conducted major operations in volatile regions, facing IEDs, ambushes, and Taliban offensives. The conflict ended with the chaotic withdrawal in 2021 and the Taliban's return to power, leaving a legacy of sacrifice that many feel is now being misrepresented.
Prince Harry's response underscores a commitment to honoring those who served, regardless of nationality. As a veteran who has advocated for mental health support for service members through initiatives like the Invictus Games, his words carry weight among military communities. While he has faced personal controversies since stepping back from royal life, his military record remains a respected part of his public identity.
The episode highlights ongoing transatlantic tensions over NATO's future, burden-sharing, and historical memory. As allies navigate these issues, statements like Harry's serve as a reminder of the shared costs borne in pursuit of collective security. For many veterans and families, the call for truth and respect in recounting those sacrifices remains paramount.
